A DAY AT THE CALIFORNIA WOLF CENTER, JULIAN, CA

Sunday, March 11 - Last year, our friends Bob and Julie told us about their visit to the California Wolf Center in Julian, CA. They were so impressed with the facility and their experience that they recommended we try to visit the Center sometime.

Since we were camping in Ramona, only 17 miles from Julian, we made reservations to go on the tour. In fact, Ken's daughter Vickie and her group wanted to go as well. It was amazing that there was space available in the tour group for all of us. So we made a plan. We would meet at the facility, take the tour, and finish up with Apple Pie in Julian! (Julian is well known for its Apple Pies).

When we first arrived, the tour guide made a slide presentation about the plight of wolves in the US and how the Wolf Center is attempting to increase awareness and understanding through educational programs and exhibits, focusing on the Gray Wolf. After the lecture we went to view the wild wolves.

First we stopped to watch the Alaskan Gray Wolf.

They were behind chain-link fencing so it was very difficult to take pictures what with the fencing, gates and people!!! I did manage to get this picture that I think looks more like a friendly dog than a Big Bad Wolf!!

Look closely and you'll see THREE wolves in the same picture. One is lying down (left side).

Here our tour guide is answering questions from our family. He was very knowledgeable and thorough in his commentary. (From Right to Left: Steve, Vickie, Ken, two strangers, then Niki on the far left.)

The following pictures are of Mexican Gray Wolves kept separate from the Alaskan Gray Wolves.



The nice guide took time to take a picture with us! Max, Niki, Steve, Vickie, Ken, Faye, and the guide.

Everyone agreed that our trip to the California Wolf Center was ASSUME!!!

This is the view from a Vista Point near the California Wolf Center. Beautiful!!


We decided to go to the Julian Pie Company for our Apple Pie. We were disappointed to find they only had various kinds of pie and were not set up to serve lunch. So we went next door to the Restaurant for lunch topped off with a slice of Apple Pie. Actually, I was disappointed in the pie -- $3.50 for a $1.50 slice of pie, no better than one Ken and I would have made ourselves!


What a beautiful day and a wonderful time spent with family among the wolves!!!